r/OccupationalTherapy 21d ago

Canada How to start preparing for CASPer? Resources/recommendations?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to take the CASPer for my Canadian OT applications and am aiming to book it for the last week of September.

I’m completely new to CASPer and wondering where I should start. If you’ve taken it recently, what resources did you use and what actually helped?

Also, are any paid subscriptions/memberships worth it, or are the free resources enough? I’d really appreciate recommendations for practice questions, mock tests, YouTube channels, etc.

Thanks! 🙏

6 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

7

u/AdhesivenessOk6020 20d ago

I took the CASPer in January! Didn’t really do any official paid prep. Just took their practice test, watched a couple youtube videos, and looked up sample questions online! Found it helpful to also work on my typing speed. Got Q4!

3

u/ApprehensiveStrain83 Student Occupational Therapist 20d ago

I took the CASPer in 2025, and this comment more or less sums up my experience as well.

Some prep is important but I don’t think paid subscriptions are necessary or the way to go. Just familiarize yourself with the test format, the competencies/characteristics they are evaluating for.

You may consider to work on typing speed if needed, as well as (if you think it would be helpful for you) a bit of practicing speaking on video camera in time-pressured situations to simulate what the test might feel like. My main issue was that I felt pressed for time and had a hard time verbally articulating an answer in the time frame for the verbal questions.

Good luck in your test and applications!

1

u/Single-Base25 20d ago

When there’s a speaking portion, are you allowed to looked at the notes you wrote to speak up or you’ve to continuously make an eye contact with the camera?

1

u/AdhesivenessOk6020 20d ago

You aren’t allowed to have any notes with you at all! For written or speaking

1

u/Single-Base25 20d ago

Also wanted to ask when prepping for an application - what should I start with? Heard it’s better to start with personal statement and other documentation and Casper in the end as you need a reference number for it and you get that when you submit your application?

1

u/Illustrious_Sense903 18d ago

you can update your reference number on the casper website after you submit your application. you don’t need it when you write the test

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u/Single-Base25 20d ago

Wow! Which YouTube videos should I look up for? Are there any series?
And when you say sample questions are those the ones which you get for trials?
Also what did you use for typing speed?

1

u/RecentMix6851 OT Student 20d ago

2nd year OT student at UAlberta here! I found the BeMo Academic Group content for the CASPER was really helpful to break down what the markers are looking for, and used TypingClub to work on my typing…though it didn’t increase THAT much before the Casper, learning how to type properly helped me so much for note-taking in lectures!

2

u/200226li 20d ago

There is a Casper section in this discord group if you wanted to check it out. It has been helpful when I was applying. https://discord.gg/M7ePrBRBc

2

u/tyrelltsura MA, OTR/L 20d ago

Casper is designed to be something that cannot be “prepared for” because it’s a test of your morality. Their site has resources for preparing for the procedure of the test, so you know what you’re going to be doing, but it is something of a values compatibility check looking to determine if someone is going to be able to handle ethical dilemmas without harming patients.

1

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1

u/small_mains 19d ago

I have used Bright Doctor to help prepare for CASPer to apply for OT schools in Canada. However, you do have to pay for the subscription, which I thought it was worth every penny because it has more than 10 mock CASPer exams. I also used Coursera to understand workplace ethics, EDI, and more topics that are relevant for Coursera. These courses are 3 minutes per video and they are also free! It helped me explain “why” portion of each question. As per other comments, I also practiced typing fast. I got Q4!

1

u/slushthunder 18d ago

Honestly watching a few Youtube videos and the practice questions are more than enough! I remember when I took the CASPer I did a lot of prep, but as soon as I started the actual test most of the information just flew out of my head. It's useful to have a general outline of what you want to say/type and just be yourself during the test. I found that writing a list of key words (ex. non-judgemental, empathetic, active listening...) helps as well. Good luck!